Officials and voters in several communities in Livingston County reported steady streams of voters and packed parking lots throughout the morning and afternoon.

Intermittent power outages due to wind caused short delays for voters trying to insert their ballots into voting machines at Putnam Township Hall.

"Power keeps going out in there, but they have back-up power, so they should be all right," Andre Clark, 58, said around noon.

No other power outage problems at the polls had been reported, as of 2:30 p.m.

CLOSE

Voters at Howell City's precincts one and two voice their opinions entering and exiting the polls.
Susan Bromley, Livingston Daily

Voter turnout high as expected

County election officials expected voter turnout to be higher than usual for a midterm election and that appeared to be the case through the day Tuesday.

As of 6 p.m., about 61,000 voters had cast their ballots at precincts countywide and 32,578 absentee ballots had been returned, Livingston County Elections Coordinator Joe Bridgman said.With a 63% turnout already registered and two more hours of voting to be counted, the county was on track for what he believes will be 80% turnout.

Putnam Township Clerk Sally Guyon said early morning voters were lined up down the hall and out the door when the polls opened.

"They were lined up for a 45-minute period ... but we moved them through," Guyon said. "We're expecting to approach presidential voter turnout levels, and it's been steady."

Voters have their say

Voters were lined up down the hallway outside the gymnasium at the Brighton Educational Community Center shortly after the polls opened at 7 a.m.

The line moved steadily, however, and voters leaving the polls after casting their ballots seemed positive about the process.

"I think it's important to vote so we can advocate for ourselves and our patients," said Becca Whelan, 26, who is a nurse. "We want to make sure no one forgets about the little guys."

A line of voters moves fairly quickly at Hartland’s precinct 2 at the Hartland Educational Support Service Center Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, which houses five precincts.(Photo: Gillis Benedict/Livingston Daily)

She was joined in voting by her husband, Paul Whelan, a 27-year-old accountant, who said his most important issues were education, student debt and making sure everyone is medically insured. He was pleased with only having waited 10-15 minutes and was hopeful the turnout would be good despite rainy weather.

Matt Peterson, 55, said he votes every election and on Tuesday he was motivated to send a message.

"I'm anti-Trump," said Peterson, adding that he considers himself an independent, but prior to Trump had voted for Republican presidential candidates Mitt Romney and John McCain. "I'm upset with the tone and the rhetoric. I prefer uniters, not dividers."

Jim Smith, 46, said the turnout seemed higher to him than in previous mid-term elections and he also had a primary motivation in voting.

"My main core value is voting pro-life," Smith said. "Roe vs. Wade has a stranglehold at the federal level. People have no power until the decision is overturned at the Supreme Court. They took the people's power away."

Smith added that he also was opposed to Proposal 1, which if passed would legalize recreational marijuana.

"Marijuana is crazy -- it's not going to help anyone be successful and is a drain on society."

Lesa Doa, who marked her 34th birthday on Tuesday, as well as her ballot, was hoping it would be a day to celebrate.

"There are a lot of females on the ballot and I hope they win," said the mother of two daughters, adding she wants her girls to grow up with equal rights.

Her husband, Jordan Genso, 33, was working the polls on Tuesday as a challenger for the Democratic Party, "making sure voters aren't turned away and votes retain their integrity."

He said Brighton has very well-run elections and the turnout seemed similar to the 2016 presidential election, although this time voters seemed to be "brighter in mood."

Amanda O'Boyle, 31, said the turnout was better than any other mid-term she had voted in and was hopeful her fellow community members would vote all the way down the ballot, including for school board.

"The local level makes a big difference in your day-to-day life," she said.

Jacob Beckett, 28, said he was intrigued by the proposals on the ballot, particularly Proposal 2, which seeks to address gerrymandering by redrawing district lines with an independent commission.

"It seems like it is common sense, it should be done non-partisan if possible," Beckett said, adding he was heartened by the higher turnout and hope it meant more people were becoming engaged in politics.

Dan Phillips, 30, was happy to see the diversity among candidates on the ballot and to cast his vote for Elissa Slotkin for 8th District U.S. House representative, as well as for Democratic candidate for governor Gretchen Whitmer.

“It’s exciting to see women, people of color and not just stuffy white men on the ballot,” he said. “It’s a diversity of perspective and in the halls of power.”

Voters form a line at Hartland's precinct 2, one of five precincts' polls at the Hartland Educational Support Service Center Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018.(Photo: Gillis Benedict/Livingston Daily)

Phillips said he walked in to vote with almost no line, but wants to make voting even easier and cast a yes on Proposal 3, known as “Promote the Vote.” He added that he also voted yes on proposal 1, because he is a fan of “Pot for potholes,” and yes on Proposal 2, for which the slogan is “Voters, not politicians.”

Allison Stevens, 30, said she voted no on all three proposals, particularly concerned with the challenges of testing a driver who may be under the influence of marijuana.

“There’s no way to know how high they are,” she said.

Leah Runchey, 33, said she regularly votes in mid-term elections and this year, was more drawn to Republican candidates.

“It seems like they have a better head on their shoulders,” she said, but acknowledged she had split her vote.

She voted no to the legalization of recreational marijuana because of “negative impacts” and “too many what-ifs” but did vote yes on proposals 2 and 3, calling them “common sense.”

Bill Kleinschmit, 57, said he is part of the resistance at the polls and voted for all Democratic candidates.

“I want to put a check on Donald Trump,” he said.

Kellie Booth, 48, agreed.

“I just want to make a change,” she said. “I’m unhappy with the current presidential administration.”

Lily Langley, 62, expressed relief after casting her vote Tuesday.

“I’m glad it’s over,” she said, but admitted she would be “up all night” watching results come in. “I vote every chance I get and I think we need a balance in our country. That is what I am striving for – and peace. I want a kinder, more peaceful country.”

Her husband, Richard Langley, 64, said his main concern was the environment and global warming, which prompted him to cast all his votes for Democrats.

“They are the party of the environment and science,” he said. “I want clean drinking water and clean Great Lakes.”

But while he said his wife might be up all night on the edge of her seat watching election results, he just wanted to watch the Spartans. The Michigan State men's basketball team plays Kansas tonight at 7 p.m.

“I don’t get too emotional about the election,” he said. “I look at the long picture. We’ll be all right.”

Shortly before 1 p.m. at the Howell City Hall, Elizabeth Staddon cast her ballot, voting for all Democrats.

"We are being turned away from our Christian values and I want to restore democracy," she said. "One party rule has turned us into a dictatorship."

John Albertson, 39, voting at precinct 3 in Howell, agreed and said he also voted for all Democrats for the first time in his life.

"I don't agree with what appears to be the current Republican philosophy -- racism, sexism and misogyny. Basically, divide and conquer," he said.

Nate Buchanan, 18, said he was voting for the first time.

"I felt like it would be more cumbersome, but I didn't have to wait," he said. "I feel like I was part of the process, one of the people making a difference."

Dan McMillen, 51, said he doesn't normally vote in mid-term elections, but ventured out to the Livingston Educational Service Agency, home of Howell precincts 1 and 2, because the "country is going downhill."

"None of the Republicans will vote against the orange one in charge," he said. "I was never anti-Republican until now. We've got to work together. Everything is opposite of what it should be."

He said he voted yes for legalization of recreational marijuana, but no on the two local millages, the city of Howell Headlee override intended to fix roads and the schools sinking fund millage.

"I'm sick of paying all that money," he said. "The city has wasted funds, and I don't want my taxes raised anymore."

Frank Kersanty, 62, said he voted no on all the proposals, both statewide and local.

"I'm excited to vote for John James," Kersanty said of the Republican senate candidate. "He shares the same values and ideology, and it matters to me that he's a veteran and made a sacrifice."

Rocco Morgan, 20, was also a fan of James, saying he "seems genuine."

The proposals were a mixed bag for the Howell resident. He voted in favor of marijuana legalization, against redistricting and for the schools millage. He withheld a vote on the Headlee override proposal for the city of Howell, saying he "left it up to the rest of the people," since he lives with his parents and doesn't pay taxes.

He also said he voted for some Libertarian candidates on the ballot, although he declined to specify which ones.